Magnitude 5.0 quake hits central Italy: US Geological Survey

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake is considered moderate and is capable of causing considerable damage.

Earthquake aftershocks gave central Italy no respite, haunting a region where thousands of people were left homeless. (Source: AP)

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck central Italy on Thursday morning in the same region hit by recent strong quakes, the US Geological Survey said. It said the temblor, which struck at 1:35 a.m. (0035 GMT), was very shallow, only 6.2 miles (10 km) deep, and was centered 32 miles (51.5 km) southeast of Perugia.

Earthquakes measuring 5.5 and 6.1 hit the area on Oct. 26, followed by a 6.6 magnitude quake on Sunday, the biggest tremor to strike Italy for 36 years.

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake is considered moderate and is capable of causing considerable damage. The shallow depth would have intensified the shaking at the surface.